Nailers Set To Meet Stingrays In Round One

April 14, 2014

WHEELING - The Wheeling Nailers have announced their opponent and schedule for the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Round of the 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The Nailers will face the South Carolina Stingrays in a best-of-seven series, beginning on Friday night at North Charleston Coliseum.

During the 2013-14 regular season, the Nailers posted a 39-27-1-5 record, earning 84 points, which placed them sixth in the Eastern Conference Standings. While Wheeling was tied with Greenville, a 36-34 edge in regulation/overtime wins gave the Nailers the upper hand, earning them the position.

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That places Wheeling against South Carolina, who finished third in the Eastern Conference, compiling a 43-23-2-4 record, good for 92 points.

The Nailers and Stingrays clashed only once during the regular season, as South Carolina picked up a 3-0 victory at North Charleston Coliseum on Dec. 28.

Jeff Jakaitis turned in a 21-save shutout for the Stingrays, while Alex Westlund was the losing goaltender for Wheeling and made 26 stops.

Luke Greiner, Ryan Grimshaw, and Peter Boyd were the goal scorers.

This is the second time that Wheeling and South Carolina will meet in the postseason, as the two sides also decided a first round series during the 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The Nailers got the upper hand, 3-1 in the best-of-five series, winning games one and two in North Charleston, before clinching the series at WesBanco Arena in game four.

Both road wins for Wheeling in that series came in overtime, courtesy of Andrew Orpik and Kyle Bushee.

The 2014 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series between the Wheeling Nailers and South Carolina Stingrays will begin at North Charleston Coliseum on Friday and Saturday, before heading to WesBanco Arena on April 23, 25, and 26. All Wheeling home games beginning at 7:00.

Playoff tickets are available for purchase by calling the Nailers at (304) 234-GOAL.